After re-watching Mayweather vs Pacquiao, I have to say it really wasn’t a bad fight. It was certainly no worse than most of Mayweather’s recent high profile bouts. I found it far more watchable than Mayweather’s fights against Saul Alvarez, Victor Ortiz, Robert Guerrero and the second Marcos Maidana affair. The early rounds were filled with tension and the fight was close enough at the mid-way point that a win for either fighter was still on the table. Technically, as Max Kellerman pointed out on Saturday night, even at the start of round 11 Pacquiao was still in a position to pull out a draw, and so it wasn’t completely one sided. It was hardly the stinker that the media has made it out to be. The problem seems to be a combination of unrealistic expectations along with the high price tag. Add to that the fanciful notion that the public had that this was a pick ‘em fight and you have a recipe for disappointment. Manny was a solid underdog coming into the fight and that’s how the fight played out. That hardly means it was a bad fight. The fact is that it held my interest during a second watching, and I am sure I am not alone in that.
Walters vs. Marriaga & Verdejo vs. Najera: Saturday, June 13 Live on HBO
NEW YORK (May 12, 2015) — Undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight world champion NICHOLAS “Axe Man” WALTERS of Jamaica, and the boxing gem of Puerto Rico, undefeated No. 3 world-rated lightweight contender FELIX “El Diamante” VERDEJO will headline, in separate bouts, a world championship card in New York during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. With 34 knockout victories between them, fireworks are all but assured for this event which will take place Saturday, June 13, in The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Both will be facing undefeated opponents. Walters, who is in the third year of his championship reign, will defend his world title against Top-10 contender MIGUEL “The Scorpion” MARRIAGA of Colombia. Verdejo, in his live HBO debut, will make the first defense of his newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino lightweight title against IVAN “Bam Bam” NAJERA, of San Antonio, TX. Both fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Erislandy Lara vs Delvin Rodriguez on June 12th
CHICAGO (May 12, 2015) – Cuban boxing sensation Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs)returns to the ring on Friday, June 12 to face veteran Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16 KOs) as Premier Boxing Champions heads back to Spike.
Additionally, Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) is set to square off against the ring-savvy Doudou Ngumbu (34-6, 13 KOs) of Haute-Garonne, France.
This edition of PBC on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET. Doors at UIC Pavilion open at 5 p.m. CT with the first fight set for 5:30 p.m. CT.
122lb Star Kid Galahad Staring At 2 Year Drug Ban
For anybody wondering exactly where top British 122lb fighter Kid Galahad (18-0, 9ko) has been, then the answer has become ominously clearer thanks to a piece of breaking news from The Daily Star in the UK.
Galahad, who last boxed in September 2014 – winning a decision against Brazilian Adeilson Dos Santos gave a positive urine sample following the fight according to the paper and has been handed a 2 year ban by the UK’s NADA – (National Anti-Doping Agency)
Deontay Wilder Facing Eric Molina – Just Don’t Mention Credibility
I like Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32ko), lets just say that before I go any further with this article – but I am firmly in an underwhelmed majority, who are quietly sniggering at his choice of opponent for the maiden defence of his WBC heavyweight title – the unheralded and decidedly NOT world-class Eric Molina (23-2, 17ko)
I think it’s fair to say this isn’t the most fantastic use of Wilder’s voluntary defence, but honestly – for a world champ who only knocked over part-timers and mis-matched pros before fighting Stiverne and winning his title, what did we really expect?
Promoter Eddie Hearn made an interesting point today, regarding the situation and his fighter – up & coming Olympic Gold medal winning prospect Anthony Joshua (12-0, 12ko)
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Generates 4.4 Million Plus Domestic Pay-Per-View Buys
The boxing blockbuster event, Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, shattered the previous record for total pay-per-view buys and now ranks as the highest-grossing pay-per-view of all time. Initial reports from distributors indicate that the event generated more than 4.4 million U.S. buys and more than $400 million in domestic pay-per-view revenue alone. With additional revenue from the live gate at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, international television distribution, sponsorships, closed circuit and merchandise sales, the event is expected to generate in excess of $500 million in gross worldwide receipts. The news was announced jointly by Showtime Networks Inc., a subsidiary of CBS Corporation, and HBO in conjunction with event promoters Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank, Inc.
Floyd Beats Golovkin Says His Father But Not Fighting “No Damn Giant”
Since he beat Manny Pacquiao 10 days ago, the calls for Floyd Mayweather to face all manner of opponents next have ignited social media – suggestions from the likely to the frankly ridiculous and everything in between.
Wladimir Klitschko at a catch-weight anyone??
All joking aside, on my “highly unlikely” list is the shout for a 154lb contest with big-hitting Kazakh Gennady Golovkin.
Mikey Garcia’s Problems Continue
Promotional disputes in boxing can sadly deprive a talented young fighter of crucial peak years in their careers. Most recently we have seen the likes of Andre Ward out of the ring for extended periods due to wrangling over contractual issues – yet at least he is now set to return on June 20th.
Another fighter losing massive chunks of his career is 2-weight world champion, undefeated Mexican-American, Mikey Garcia – brother of Oxnard based trainer Robert Garcia.
Garcia has been in contractual dispute with Bob Arum for some time now and last boxed in January of 2014 when he beat Juan Carlos Burgos.
Scott Quigg To Fight Kiko Martinez – July 18th
WBA (reg) 122lb champion Scott Quigg (30-0-2, 22ko) has once again dodged the Guillermo Rigondeaux bullet with the announcement that he will defend his title on July 18th in Manchester against Spain’s Kiko Martinez. (32-5, 24ko)
After negotiations for a massive unification clash with Belfast’s IBF champion Carl Frampton falling through recently, it would seem Eddie Hearn has turned to Martinez for comparative purposes.
The former world and European champion has been twice beaten by Frampton in the past – in February 2013 when he was stopped (for the only time in his career) and again last September when he surrendered his belt via 12 round decision.
Eddie Hearn Concedes GGG Could Hurt Froch – The Cobra Unlikely To Fight On
In a refreshing move, Matchroom Sport’s Eddie Hearn has admitted that should his fighter choose to go on and bow out in a big stadium fight in America in the Summer – murderous punching middleweight Gennady Golovkin would be one to swerve.
However, in speaking to the Daily Mail, “Fast Car” has conceded it is unlikely that Nottingham’s Froch will look to extend his 13 years as a professional with another contest – choosing instead to go out on the famous KO of George Groves in their Wembley rematch a year ago.